If the Mets and Padres meet in the playoffs, it might be hard to match the back-and-forth excitement of this week’s series.

Both teams could probably expect much more from their star closers, though.

Adrian Gonzalez homered in the 10th inning and San Diego edged New York 9-8 last night at Shea Stadium in a wild game that included blown saves by Billy Wagner and Trevor Hoffman.

“It’s a rarity, that’s for sure,” Padres manager Bud Black said. “It just goes to show you closers are human. It’s a tough role. People want perfection, and it’s not going to happen.”

San Diego took two of three from the NL East leaders in a potential playoff preview. The Padres increased their lead in the wild-card race to two games over Philadelphia.

If the standings hold the rest of the way, far from a certainty, the Mets and Padres would play in the first round of the postseason. Based on their matchup this week, that could be quite a thriller – for everyone but the closers.

Messrs. Wagner and Hoffman, two of baseball’s best relievers, both struggled mightily all series. Wagner blew one save chance and gave up the go-ahead run in the ninth inning Tuesday before New York rallied to win. Hoffman blew two saves, sandwiched around a successful conversion Wednesday night.

On Aug. 10, Messrs. Wagner and Hoffman blew saves on the same day for the first time ever. Thirteen days later, they did it in the same game.

“Hey, it’s going to happen,” Mr. Wagner said. “That was about the best I’ve pitched in three weeks. It’s the best control I’ve had.”

In the end, Heath Bell was the only guy with enough moxie to close it out. After two pitchers with a combined 867 saves had failed before him, the ex-Met tossed a scoreless 10th for his first major league save.

“I always have confidence I’m going to go out there and no one’s going to hit me,” Mr. Bell said. “Sometimes they do, but I always think they won’t.”

Mr. Gonzalez hit a solo shot with one out in the 10th off Aaron Heilman (7-6) for his 21st homer this season.

Trailing 6-1 in the sixth, the Mets scored six times to take Tom Glavine off the hook. Pinch-hitter Marlon Anderson capped the rally with a three-run homer.
New York led 7-6 in the ninth and handed the ball to Mr. Wagner, who was trying for his 30th save. He allowed back-to-back doubles to Khalil Greene and pinch-hitter Terrmel Sledge, and Josh Bard followed with an RBI single that gave San Diego an 8-7 lead. It was the third blown save this year for Wagner.

But the Mets stormed back against Mr. Hoffman (3-4), baseball’s career saves leader. Jose Reyes and Luis Castillo hit consecutive singles with one out, then executed a double steal. David Wright’s sacrifice fly tied it.

“I’m not going to worry about Trev. He’s had a great season and he’s one of the best ever,” Mr. Black said.

After an intentional walk to Carlos Beltran and a walk to Carlos Delgado, Moises Alou grounded out to end the inning.

“I made some good pitches,” Mr. Hoffman said. “You have to give credit to those guys. You don’t want to say that too much, but sometimes you have to.”<